Parrot (Omu), from the series "Floating World Versions of the Seven Komachi (Ukiyo Nana Komachi)" c. 1780

Torii Kiyonaga made this woodblock print, "Parrot", with ink and color on paper. The process of making a woodblock print like this is quite labor-intensive. It begins with a drawing, which is then transferred to a woodblock, carved in relief, and then printed. Each color requires a separate block, so you can imagine the sheer amount of work involved in this image. The lines are crisp and the colors are flat, but this belies the complexity involved in carving the blocks so that each color layer lines up perfectly. Also consider the social context in which these prints were made. They were relatively inexpensive and could be mass-produced. Woodblock prints were often used to depict scenes of everyday life, including portraits of beautiful women, actors, and landscapes. So this print belongs to a wider world of commodity culture, of images made for a mass audience, and not just a wealthy elite. The combination of technical skill and attention to detail is a testament to the rich tradition of Japanese printmaking. This print challenges us to consider the relationship between art, labor, and commerce.